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For 14 of the past 18 seasons, Paul Nicholls has reigned supreme amongst British trainers. That tally of titles places the master of Manor Farm just one behind the legendary Martin Pipe, but he managed only a respectable third in 2023/24. Can he bounce back in the current campaign?
In Willie Mullins, he faces a formidable foe from across the Irish Sea who grasped the title in 2023/24, whilst last year’s runner-up – and former Nicholls protégé – Dan Skelton has made an electric start in his bid to go one better.
Against that backdrop, Nicholls may play down his chances, but rest assured, if he is in with a sniff come April, he won’t go down without a fight.
With 150 horses under his care, including a host of Graded stars, Nicholls is strong in both numbers and quality. Here, we highlight the yard’s star performers and present the Nicholls-trained challengers worth tracking throughout the season.
Stable Stars
Bravemansgame
Likened to yard legend Denman from an early stage, Bravemansgame hasn’t quite gone on to scale those heights but hasn’t been too far off. Successful three times in Grade 1 company, his finest hour came when romping to a 14l victory in the 2022 King George VI Chase at Kempton. Having tried and failed to land the Gold Cup, the Kempton feature was his big target for the campaign, but he may have his sights lowered following a subpar comeback in the Charlie Hall Chase.
Pic D’Orhy
This fellow stable stalwart ended 2023/24 on a low note when pulled up in the Melling Chase. However, that was a rare blip for this remarkably consistent sort; in his eight previous outings, he had never finished outside the first two, including top-level wins in the Marsh Chase and Ascot Chase. Dues to return in the 1965 Chase, the big Grade 1 back at Ascot in February stands out as an obvious major target.
Ginny’s Destiny
Kicking off 2023/24 on a rating of 135, this son of Yeats burst into life over fences. Three wins from five starts later, he sat on a new mark of 155, with highlights including a hattrick of Cheltenham handicaps and a runners-up finish in the Grade 1 Turners’ Novices’ Chase.
Boasting form figures of 71112 at Cheltenham, a return to Prestbury Park for the Paddy Power Gold Cup in November looks like a suitable starting point before he steps into Grade 1 company. Yet to be tried beyond 2m4f, he looks likely to stay 3m and may step into the King George breach if Bravemansgame heads elsewhere.
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Stage Star
Climbing 15lb in the handicap during 2022/23 - propelled by three wins at Cheltenham, including the Turners - Stage Star set the path for Ginny’s Destiny to follow last term. However, bar a stellar display in the Paddy Power Gold Cup, last season didn’t go to plan, with two outings in Graded company yielding a pair of unplaced finishes. He finished only fourth on his seasonal return in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree but was unsuited by the slow pace that day. Like many from the yard, he may improve for the run and should fare better in the December Gold Cup at his beloved Cheltenham.
Caldwell Potter
Formerly based with Gordon Elliott, this striking grey was bought into the Nicholls yard for the princely sum of €740,000 in February. He’s yet to race for his new handler but brings excellent form to the table, having claimed the Grade 1 Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown on his final start for Elliott. Already touted as a potential future Gold Cup contender, he is well-positioned to soar through the Novice Chase ranks.
Captain Teague
Sporting the silks of Mrs Johnny de la Hey, this six-year-old looks like another intriguing addition to the Novice Chase ranks. Kicking off last season with an effortless win in the Grade 2 Persian War Stakes, he added the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle to his haul before bombing out in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle. However, the heavy ground, 3m trip, and suspected health issues were all possible excuses that day. Now tackling the larger obstacles, it would be no surprise to see him back in Grade 1 company before long.
Kalif Du Berlais
Comments such as “the apple of my eye” and “the sky’s the limit” suggest Nicholls holds this son of Masked Marvel in the highest regard. Considering his future is thought to lie in the staying chase sphere, the four-year-old did remarkably well to pick up a pair of 2m hurdle contests, including the Grade 2 Adonis Hurdle. Wasting no time, he goes straight over fences in his second season.
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Ten For the Tracker
Whilst not quite matching the glory years of Kauto Star, Denman, and Master Minded, Nicholls still has an enviable cast at his disposal and seems sure to rack up the winners yet again. Hopefully, our ten-horse tracker selections will do their bit to keep the prize money ticking over.
- Belliano – Given the strength of Irish racing, any runner heading to Britain from the Point-to-Point fields of the Emerald Isle merits a second look. This son of Black Sam Bellamy scooted up by six lengths at Boulta, and that form was franked when the third home won easily next time out. No match for the highly regarded The New Lion on his hurdles bow at Chepstow, he ran a race full of promise in second and looks well up to scoring in maiden and novice company.
- Insurrection – Sticking to the theme of Irish Point winners, Insurrection landed his Point to Point by a huge 20 lengths back in 2022. Never out of the first three in his debut season over hurdles, he picked up wins at Exeter and Hereford and looks the sort to fare significantly better over fences. Second in a Listed event on chase debut in October, he is fancied to progress into Graded company as he gains experience.
- Joyau Allen – As far as pedigrees go, it doesn’t get much better than being a full brother to the nine-time Grade 1 winner Envoi Allen. This five-year-old has a way to go to match his sibling but has shown promise in three outings to date. Second in a hot Point to Point at Borris House, he landed his Bumper with the minimum of fuss before finishing second on his hurdles debut over 2m at Exeter. If he has anything in common with his brother, he may improve when he tackles 2m4f+.
- Jubilee Alpha – An impressive winner of her Bumper at Wincanton, this five-year-old ran a stormer to finish second in the Grade 2 Bumper at the Grand National Meeting – finishing a 3½l second despite suffering trouble in running. Granted normal progression, she can make her presence felt in Mares’ Novice Hurdles.
- Just A Rose – By Saints Des Saints and out of the Graded class mare Daring Rose, this striking mare delivered on her pedigree potential when claiming her Point to Point at Chaddesley Corbett. Set to tackle hurdles in her debut season for the yard, it will be intriguing to see how high she can fly.
- Quebecois – Having burst onto the scene with an easy Bumper win at Exeter, Quebecois found the Champion Bumper a step too far on his final start last season. However, a 2m contest which turned into a sprint was never likely to suit this galloping sort. Stepped up to 2m3½f for his hurdles debut at Chepstow, he put in one of the most eye-catching novice displays of the early season en route to an 8l romp. Impressive on the eye, he looks an early contender for the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle.
- Regent’s Stroll – When Chris Giles put his string up for sale, Nicholls was no doubt most concerned about losing this unbeaten son of Walk In The Park – so much so that he promptly headed to the sales and (in partnership with others) and shelled out £660,000 to secure his services. A perfect two from two in Bumpers last term, he looks one of the most likely to hit the mark in Graded company over hurdles.
- Talk To The Man – By Walk In The Park and an impressive winner of an Irish Point To Point, this four-year-old ticks all the right boxes. A strapping sort who reportedly takes a lot of work, he could be one to remember for the post-Christmas period.
- Teeshan – Finishing in a different parish to his rivals in his Point to Point at Loughanmore, Teeshan backed that up with a facile Bumper success at Exeter. He then blew his chance when running too free in the Champion Bumper, but the promise of those earlier displays is hard to forget.
- The Bluesman – The Novice Hurdle division looks particularly strong for Nicholls this season, and this son of Crillon is another to throw into the mix. Last sighted hacking up by 14l in a Chepstow Bumper, he has reportedly done well physically over the summer and has the potential to take high rank in the division.
Paul Harrison
Falling in love with racing at a young age, Paul’s passion for sports and betting took him to Salford University, where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Business Economics with Gambling Studies. Having spent ten years in the employment of a leading bookmaker, Paul opted to go it alone and pursue his dream job as a freelance writer.
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